[UPDATED] With a steady influx of awesome games and enhancements to the inner workings of iOS, the iPad has turned into an exceptional gaming platform. And, best of all, you don't need to pay a cent to enjoy many of these gaming highlights. To ensure you've sampled the best the App Store has to offer, we've assembled a list of the cream of the crop of free iPad games. Suitable for hardcore and casual gamers alike, these are the 25 best iPad games that money need not buy.

The end of the year is a slow news zone typically, so we did our end of the year wrap ups. Want to know what the best games of the year were? Well, we got you covered. Whether it's the Mac or iOS, free or pay, we got you covered, plus a little bit of news on the side.

Marvel's latest Thor adventure hammers its way into movie theaters this Friday, but the folks at Gameloft are already taking iOS and Android gamers all the way to Asgard with an official game based on the new film.

Public service announcements, by their inherently important nature, aren't really meant to entertain. Whether it's Pee-wee Herman letting us know about the dangers of crack, or Ted Danson getting real about seabed trawling, the message's tone is often dry and deadly serious. Last year, Metro Trains of Melbourne, Australia took a different approach by creating the wildly successful and dark-humored "Dumb Ways to Die." By transitioning the campaign to the iOS world, it's only taken on an even greater layer of absurdity.

It's that time again, where we at Free App Friday headquarters take a closer look at some of the more basic apps out there that are worth your time. Not unlike a fine IPA, just because they're smaller servings, doesn't mean they lack a punch.

It's time to let all of you in on a little secret from Free App Friday Headquarters. Usually we keep our nose to the grindstone looking for first-rate apps that might not warrant a full review, but are worth your time. Sometimes, while waiting for clothes to tumble dry, the iTunes Store can reveal magic. Super Snack Time is such an app, and you'll want to drop in an extra quarter to make sure everything's nice and toasty.

The twelve apps of Christmas! Or the best apps of 2012 or something. It's the year end when we start getting best of lists, and here's at least two to tide you over until the next batch. Meanwhile, Twitter & Instagram break up -- is it forever? And more below the fold.

It's really heartening to see the tide turn back towards Mac game development since the launch of the Mac App Store, with big-budget blockbusters and familiar iOS apps alike coming to Mac screens everywhere. While paid games are in steady supply, it may be tougher to locate worthwhile free offerings amidst the loaded listings -- and sure enough, the selection isn't quite as robust as you'd expect from the iOS App Store. But give it time! Until then, we've rifled through the current selection and picked out 10 worthwhile offerings that cover a wide variety of genres (and attention spans).